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Memories & Candles

“Our family was saddened to learn of Joyce's passing. Joyce was our neighbor and friend for many years on Crest Ave. We remember her kind heart,...Read More »
”
1 of 12 | Posted by: Carolyn Doherty - Melrose, MA

“I remember Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim (as we called them then) and Matt and young Jim coming to Reading to visit us and other family members in the...Read More »
”
2 of 12 | Posted by: Terry Brennan - Olney, MD

“My dear Aunt Joyce will always have a special place in my heart. Her love and support and humor was a blessing in my life .
God Bless you Aunt...Read More »
”
3 of 12 | Posted by: Mary Alice Kuhns - Hamburg, PA

“Meet Joyce back in the mid 80's at Dotti Ridley home in Maine and we hit it off from the word GO. At the time i was just married to Dotti grand...Read More »
”
4 of 12 | Posted by: Steve & Paulette O'Dowd - Lima, OH

“To all of Joyce's family our condolences.
Bruce and I would like to extend our sincere heartfelt condolences in the passing of a wonderful lady. ...Read More »
”
5 of 12 | Posted by: Bruce and Joan Carmichael - NH

“Aunti Joyce was always so good and accepting of me. When my mom passed away she was such a comfort. As a funny story, one time at camp she had a...Read More »
”
6 of 12 | Posted by: Margaret Tripp - Brunswick, ME

“Dear Cathy and Family,
There are people who I will always remember fondly, and 'Joycee', as I called her - is one of them. A smile or a laugh is...Read More »
”
8 of 12 | Posted by: Kenny Lynch - Tampa, FL - Friend

“Dear Jimmy, Matt and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I have many fond memories of her from our St. Mary's days. I ran into...Read More »
”
9 of 12 | Posted by: Nancy Walsh Giannetto - Saugus, MA

“Sandy and family, I am sorry to hear about your mother. I ran into her years ago at the hospital had some laughs recalling our antics from when we...Read More »
”
10 of 12 | Posted by: Nancy Merrill MacLeod - AZ

“Dear Cathy and family,
I was shocked to hear the news of your mom. I have so many wonderful memories of your mom helping us at every dance recital...Read More »
”
11 of 12 | Posted by: Patty O'Donnell - Reading, MA

“The Gately Family and Staff wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable....Read More »
”
12 of 12 | Posted by: John W. & John H. Gately, Fred Sprague & Steve Bartholomew

JoyceE. (McFarland) Foley, of Melrose, died at home on Dec. 6, 2012 at the age of 82. Joyce was born in Sanford, ME and raised in Springvale, ME, where she played in the high school marching band, sang, and performed in school theatre productions. She attended Curry College where she studied theatre. Joyce played the xylophone, drums and piano. She loved music, especially jazz and the blues, and was a singer who later in life sang in choruses. Everyone enjoyed being around Joyce because of her warmth, her wit and her great sense of humor. She enjoyed the beach, especially Long Beach in Rockport where family and friends gathered annually to enjoy each other's company and Joyce's lobster rolls. She also enjoyed going to the theatre, movies, jazz concerts, keeping in touch with family and friends, sending cards and, especially, babies. She was "Nana" to many and baby sat for all of her family and many friends and neighbors. She was the beloved wife of the late James G. Foley for 40 years. Loving mother of Michael Elgart of Wakefield, Sandy Swain & her husband David of NH, Scott Elgart & his wife Marie of Melrose, Lisa Wilder & her husband Gregg of NH, Jim Foley & his wife Kathryn of Hopedale, Matthew Foley & his girlfriend Pamela Maguire of Everett and Cathy Kennedy & her husband James of Byfield. Caring sister of the late Lenore Wong and Violet Carmichael. Also survived by 16 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. She enjoyed the loving companionship of the late Walter Libby for the past 10 years. A funeral service will be held at the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Tuesday, Dec. 18th at 11AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joyce's name to the charity of your choice.

Memories & Candles

Our family was saddened to learn of Joyce's passing. Joyce was our neighbor and friend for many years on Crest Ave. We remember her kind heart, cheerful smile, and helping hands. Joyce would sometimes assist or fill in for Cathy when we needed a sitter. Page and Lauren would ask us to go out so Mrs Foley and Cathy could come .

One memory we still talk about was the day Joyce hopped on the back of Jimmy's motorcycle and they took off for a spin! We were impressed !

We are grateful Joyce touched our lives.

Carolyn and John Doherty

Posted by: Carolyn Doherty - Melrose, MA - neighbor Dec 18, 2012

I remember Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim (as we called them then) and Matt and young Jim coming to Reading to visit us and other family members in the Reading area for many years. We always so looked forward to their arrival. So much laughter and good times. Joyce always had a smile on her face and a funny story to tell. She was such a good mother. I remember she would get down on the floor to play dolls

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I remember Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim (as we called them then) and Matt and young Jim coming to Reading to visit us and other family members in the Reading area for many years. We always so looked forward to their arrival. So much laughter and good times. Joyce always had a smile on her face and a funny story to tell. She was such a good mother. I remember she would get down on the floor to play dolls with Cathy. Playing with children came so natural for her. She truly had a gift when it came to children. Young Jim and her took me to my first Red Sox game at Fenway park against the Baltimore Orioles (Red Sox won). She was so special and will be so missed.Rest in peace Joyce.

Posted by: Terry Brennan - Olney, MD - nephew Dec 17, 2012

My dear Aunt Joyce will always have a special place in my heart. Her love and support and humor was a blessing in my life .
God Bless you Aunt Joyce .
May your soul of the faithfully departed though the mercy of God rest in peace Amen

Posted by: Mary Alice Kuhns - Hamburg, PA - niece Dec 14, 2012

Meet Joyce back in the mid 80's at Dotti Ridley home in Maine and we hit it off from the word GO. At the time i was just married to Dotti grand daughter. Over the next few years we would run into each other at the lake. I always though she lived to enjoy life and never seemed to worry about the little things. She said to me once laughter is one of the greatest gifes we have and i

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Meet Joyce back in the mid 80's at Dotti Ridley home in Maine and we hit it off from the word GO. At the time i was just married to Dotti grand daughter. Over the next few years we would run into each other at the lake. I always though she lived to enjoy life and never seemed to worry about the little things. She said to me once laughter is one of the greatest gifes we have and i plan to enjoy mine. She is a wonderful woman and had a great sence of humor and my thouths and prayers go out to her family for their loss.

Posted by: Steve & Paulette O'Dowd - Lima, OH - friends Dec 13, 2012

To all of Joyce's family our condolences.

Bruce and I would like to extend our sincere heartfelt condolences in the passing of a wonderful lady.

'Aunt' Joyce was always there for her immediate family as well as her extended family and friends.

Bruce and I remember the fun family get-togethers at the beach. She would send an invitation and we were happy to be able to attend a couple of them with our young sons at the time.

Joyce's 75th birthday party

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To all of Joyce's family our condolences.

Bruce and I would like to extend our sincere heartfelt condolences in the passing of a wonderful lady.

'Aunt' Joyce was always there for her immediate family as well as her extended family and friends.

Bruce and I remember the fun family get-togethers at the beach. She would send an invitation and we were happy to be able to attend a couple of them with our young sons at the time.

Joyce's 75th birthday party at her daughter Sandy's, I believe, was so much fun for her! I remember her reading all her birthday cards and opening presents out on the enclosed porch and laughing at each funny one. I know that was one of the highlights of her life, having all her family there with her.

We think of her with love in our hearts and send our love to all of her immediate family.

Aunti Joyce was always so good and accepting of me. When my mom passed away she was such a comfort. As a funny story, one time at camp she had a tall glass of what I thought was water, and I was thirsty and asked her for a sip, she said sure. I should have noticed her "sly" smile, but didn't. It was gin and water on ice. She got a big kick out of it and we always chatted

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Aunti Joyce was always so good and accepting of me. When my mom passed away she was such a comfort. As a funny story, one time at camp she had a tall glass of what I thought was water, and I was thirsty and asked her for a sip, she said sure. I should have noticed her "sly" smile, but didn't. It was gin and water on ice. She got a big kick out of it and we always chatted about that. She was a good mentor to her family. Being the youngest of three women, she took her responsibility very seriously. I loved her and will always remember her kindness to me.

Dear Cathy and Family,
There are people who I will always remember fondly, and 'Joycee', as I called her - is one of them. A smile or a laugh is always my first memory when I think of your wonderful Mom. As lucky as I feel for having just some fond memories, you are all truly blessed to have so many more. I wish all of you the best in coming together to celebrate her wonderful spirit and memories of her quick wit and ability to just make everyone around her smile.

Posted by: Kenny Lynch - Tampa, FL - Friend Dec 10, 2012

Dear Jimmy, Matt and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I have many fond memories of her from our St. Mary's days. I ran into her a few years back and we had a nice chat, she still had that wonderful sense of humor. She always had a quick smile and a kind word. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Posted by: Nancy Walsh Giannetto - Saugus, MA Dec 10, 2012

Sandy and family, I am sorry to hear about your mother. I ran into her years ago at the hospital had some laughs recalling our antics from when we were kids. She was incredible -- as a kid I was amazed at her because she could flawlessly sing the "house began to twitch" song from the Wizard of Oz! She had endless energy and I know she will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with you all.

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